THE former Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy has taken almost £150,000 in tax-efficient dividends from his one-man political consultancy, according to its latest accounts.

The former Scottish Secretary paid himself £56,500 in 2016 and £89,700 in 2017 through his firm Arden Strategies Limited.

Mr Murphy set up the company, named after the Glasgow housing scheme where he grew up, in October 2015, shortly after leading Scottish Labour to its worst ever election result.

The party lost 40 of its 41 seats to the SNP in the 2015 election, including the East Renfrewshire constituency Mr Murphy had held since 1997, leading to his resignation as leader.

Despite the catastrophic result, Arden Strategies says its offers “outstanding” election advice.

Its website says: “We provide the full spectrum of election campaign services.

“Working with our clients we formulate campaign messaging, policy offer, clarity of political definition, activist mobilisation and voter turnout strategies. We help craft candidates’ speeches and provide a range of additional communications services.

“Crucially, we are led by a senior team of former politicians who are steeped in the fast paced and high pressure atmosphere of election planning and execution.”

The firm offers political advice to companies at home and abroad, and says it can “connect our clients with international networks of opinion formers and leaders”.

Mr Murphy, a Europe minister under Tony Blair, offers “political risk analysis and strategic mitigation planning” on Brexit.

An SNP source joked: “Given Jim’s track record, I’m not sure whoever’s buying his unique brand of services is getting value for money.”

The accounts for the year to 31 October 2017 were filed at Companies House this week.

They state: “During the year dividends of £89,700 (2016 £56,500) were paid to the director.”

Mr Murphy is the sole director and holds 80 per cent of the shares, with his wife Lynda holding the remainder.

It is common practice and entirely legal for small company owners to pay themselves through dividends.

These can be more tax-efficient as National Insurance Contributions are not payable on them, and tax rates are lower than on income tax.

Since being rejected by voters, Mr Murphy, 50, has popped up in a variety of roles drawing on his government background.

He worked for Finland’s Crisis Management Institute advising on “conflict resolution in central Asia”, meeting government officials in Armenia and Georgia.

He is currently listed as a “contributor” at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

Mr Murphy did not respond to a request for comment.